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Getting StartedQuick Start

Quick Start Guide

This guide will help you get up and running with Borderbolt quickly. You’ll learn how to navigate the platform and create your first customs declaration.

First Login

Accessing Borderbolt

  1. Navigate to your Borderbolt instance URL (e.g., https://app.borderbolt.com)
  2. Log in using one of the following methods:
    • Email & Password: Enter your credentials
    • SSO: Click “Sign in with Google” or “Sign in with Microsoft”
    • Passkey: Use WebAuthn passkey if configured

Profile Setup

After your first login, complete your profile:

  1. Click your avatar in the top-right corner

  2. Select Profile

  3. Update the following information:

    • Full name
    • Email address (verified)
    • Phone number (optional)
    • Preferred language (EN, NL, DE, PL)
    • Timezone

  4. Optional: Set up two-factor authentication for enhanced security

  5. Click Save Changes

Understanding the Dashboard

The dashboard is your home base in Borderbolt. It provides an at-a-glance overview of your declaration activity.

Dashboard Sections

Recent Declarations

  • View the last 10 declarations you’ve worked on
  • Quick status indicators (Draft, Submitted, Accepted, Released, Rejected)
  • Click any declaration to view details

Activity Feed

  • Real-time updates on customs responses
  • Notifications for control requests, releases, and rejections
  • System alerts and messages

Quick Stats (Manager/Admin roles)

  • Total declarations this month
  • Pending submissions
  • Active transit declarations
  • Outstanding invoices

Quick Actions

  • Create new declaration (import, export, transit)
  • Upload declaration file
  • Search by MRN, LRN, or reference

The main sidebar provides access to all Borderbolt features. Here’s what each section contains:

Declarations

The primary workspace for managing customs declarations.

  • Overview: Searchable grid of all declarations with filters by status, type, customer, date range
  • Create New: Start a new import or export declaration
  • Drafts: View incomplete declarations awaiting completion
  • Submitted: Declarations sent to customs awaiting response
  • AI Workbench: Review and approve AI-extracted declarations from email import

Transit

Dedicated section for NCTS5 transit declarations.

  • Transit Overview: All T1/T2 declarations
  • Create Transit: New transit declaration wizard
  • Active Transits: In-progress transit operations
  • Guarantees: Manage guarantee references

Dossiers

Organize related declarations and documents into folders.

  • All Dossiers: List of customer/shipment folders
  • Create Dossier: New dossier for a customer or project
  • Recent: Recently accessed dossiers

Invoicing

Financial management and billing.

  • Invoices: All generated invoices
  • Create Invoice: Manual invoice creation
  • Rate Cards: Pricing rules per declaration type or customer
  • Pending Billing: Declarations ready for invoicing

Reports

Analytics and compliance reporting.

  • Declaration Reports: Export declaration data (Excel, CSV)
  • Compliance Dashboard: Unfulfilled measures, control notifications
  • Financial Reports: Invoice summaries, revenue by customer
  • Custom Reports: Build custom exports

Customers

Customer master data management.

  • Customer List: All customers with contact information
  • Create Customer: Add new customer
  • Customer Portal Settings: Configure portal access and branding

Item Master

Product and commodity code database.

  • Item List: Searchable product catalog
  • Create Item: Add new product with HS codes, origin, preferences
  • Import Items: Bulk upload from CSV/Excel

Settings

Organization configuration and administration (Admin/Manager roles).

  • Company Settings: Organization name, address, logo, EORI, customs office
  • Declarants: Register declarants for customs submissions
  • Users & Roles: Invite users, assign permissions
  • API Keys: Generate OAuth2 tokens for API access
  • Integrations: Configure customs integration, email import, SFTP
  • Customer Portal: Customize portal branding and settings

Creating Your First Declaration

Let’s walk through creating a simple H1 import declaration.

Step 1: Start a New Declaration

  1. Click Declarations in the sidebar
  2. Click the New Declaration button
  3. Select Import → Release for Free Circulation

Step 2: Header Information

Fill out the declaration header:

  • Customer: Select from dropdown or create new customer
  • Declaration Office: Select your customs office (e.g., NL000396)
  • Declarant: Select the authorized declarant
  • Declaration Type: H1 (pre-selected)
  • LRN (Local Reference Number): Auto-generated or enter custom reference
  • Consignee: EORI and name of the importer
  • Buyer: EORI and name (if different from consignee)
  • Seller: EORI and name of the exporter
  • Country of Origin: Select country code (e.g., CN for China)

Auto-save: Fields save automatically when you tab/click away (blur event).

Step 3: Add Declaration Lines (Items)

  1. Scroll to the Declaration Lines section

  2. Click Add Line

  3. For each line, enter:

    • Item Number: Sequential (1, 2, 3…)
    • Description: Product description
    • HS Code: Harmonized System commodity code (e.g., 8471300000 for laptops)
    • Country of Origin: Where the goods were manufactured
    • Gross Weight: Total weight in kg
    • Net Weight: Net weight in kg (excluding packaging)
    • Statistical Value: Item value in EUR
    • Quantity: Number of units
    • Package Type: Select from dropdown (e.g., CT for carton)

  4. Click Save Line

  5. Repeat for additional items or click Add Another Line

Step 4: Documents

Attach supporting documents:

  1. Click the Documents button in the header toolbar
  2. Click Upload Document
  3. Select document type:
    • Invoice (commercial invoice)
    • Packing List
    • Certificate of Origin (EUR.1, A.TR)
    • Bill of Lading / Airway Bill
  4. Choose file (PDF, Word, Excel, images up to 50MB)
  5. Click Upload

Note: Documents are stored securely on SFTP with organization isolation.

Step 5: Review & Validate

  1. Click Validate in the header toolbar
  2. Review any validation errors or warnings:
    • Missing required fields (highlighted in red)
    • Invalid EORI formats
    • Incorrect HS codes
    • Weight/value mismatches
  3. Correct any issues and validate again

Step 6: Generate XML

  1. Once validation passes, click Generate XML
  2. Review the generated XML
  3. The XML preview shows the exact message that will be sent to customs

Step 7: Submit to Customs

  1. Click Submit to Customs
  2. Confirm the submission in the dialog
  3. The declaration is sent to Dutch Customs via the customs integration service
  4. Status changes to Submitted (SUB)

Step 8: Monitor Status

After submission, Borderbolt automatically receives customs responses:

  • Acceptance: Status changes to Accepted (ACC), MRN is assigned
  • Rejection: Status changes to Rejected (REJ), view error details
  • Control Notification: Physical or document control requested
  • Release Notification: Goods released, status changes to Released (REL)

Timeline: Responses typically arrive within seconds to minutes in test environments, and within hours in production.

Declaration Workflow Summary

Draft → Validate → Generate XML → Submit → Accepted/Rejected → Released
  ↓                                            ↓
Save progress                           Control Notification (optional)

Status Flow:

  1. NEW: Declaration created, not yet complete
  2. DRAFT: In progress, not ready for submission
  3. VALIDATED: Passed validation, ready to submit
  4. SUBMITTED: Sent to customs, awaiting response
  5. ACCEPTED: Customs accepted, MRN assigned
  6. RELEASED: Goods released for import/export
  7. REJECTED: Customs rejected, requires correction
  8. CONTROL: Control notification received, action required

Next Steps

Congratulations! You’ve created your first declaration. Here’s what to explore next:

Getting Help

  • In-app Help: Click the ? icon in the top-right for contextual help
  • Support: Contact your account manager or support@borderbolt.com
  • API Docs: Visit Settings → API Documentation for interactive API reference
  • Keyboard Shortcuts: Press Ctrl/Cmd + K to open the command palette

Tip: Borderbolt auto-saves your work as you type. You can safely navigate away from a declaration and return later to continue editing.

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